A Blameless and Upright Man

October 21
Wow! How would like to have the God of the universe call you a blameless and upright man/woman? In the account of Job, where I was reading this morning, we learn that was the pronouncement of God about Job. As a new Christian, stories like this one really confused me. I often wondered why God had it recorded for us and what we needed to know about Him because of it being recorded. After several decades of serving Him, I think I have several answers to those two questions. Today, we’ll only address two. Romans 15:4 tells us, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Two things are reaped when one knows God’s word thoroughly: 1. He is not duped into following bad doctrine; 2. He is encouraged to serve as a soldier of the cross. There is so much bad doctrine about things like healing today that Job has, on countless occasions, protected me from falling for so much of the really stinky doctrine on the topic. You can be absolutely, irresolutely, uncompromisingly, unwaveringly, and positively sure anyone who preaches God wants everyone well is a false, lying, deceiving, unlearned fool and God’s truth does not reside within his/her bosom. Job makes it clear that while God is ultimately responsible for everything that goes on in His universe, only evil spirits bring evil on anyone. God allows it and in some cases actually sends them for that purpose, He never does evil Himself; and He never tempts anyone to do evil (James 1:13; cf. I Ki. 22:22). So God made sure the account of Job’s life was recorded so we understand we aren’t out of his will just because tragedy comes upon us. And we know that both good and evil come upon the righteous and the unrighteous.


People often try to place God’s perfect will under specific and unbendable human parameters. Job shows us both good and evil come on both good and evil people. There is no accounting for the will of God on such matters. We know His perfect will about things He has clearly delineated. We have no idea what His perfect will is about things like our health, our wealth, or the daily trials and tribulations that will come into our lives. It is utter foolishness to assume because tragedy strikes us, we have done something directly to deserve it. Jobs friends, as concerned as they were with his problem, were utterly wrong in their counsel. Their counsel was so bad they almost became the recipients of God’s wrath (Job 42:7-9). Well meaning but ignorant counselors are no more helpful than ill meaning but ignorant counselors.

So, the second thing we need to know from this account is God’s will, on thousands of situations that will confront us in a lifetime, is precarious at best. I know, without doubt, his will about being a witness to His glory. He has made that abundantly clear. I know His will about being honest, not committing adultery, theft, covetousness, immorality, homosexuality, murder, and idolatry. I don’t know with absolute certainty if He wants me to go to Bolivia or Argentina to preach the gospel. I believe He does speak to those who listen and directs them in a variety of ways. In those kinds of situations, the open and closed door policy might be Him speaking; it might not. But I believe one key to those situations can be trusted. God gives those who listen to Him and desire to serve Him the unwavering assurance that the decision they make about where they go will be the right one (James 1:5-8).

I suggest each of us should strive to have God’s testimony of Job the same for us. I pray this day and forever He will consider me a blameless and upright man. And that’s His word for us today.